Comparison of Quality of Life between Urban and Rural Menopause Women and its Predictors: A Population Base Study

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Natural menopause is the cessation of menstrual periods in women, which is an important event in the life of women. Signs and symptoms of menopause associated with estrogen deficiency. Although menopause is a biological process and is a public event for women, but for everyone, is not defined and not experienced in the same way, and psychological state, emotional health, social and cultural situation of each person involved in this experience. Menopause can lead to disruption and changes in the quality of life of women. Rural women have experienced some degree of deprivation, and have less access to resources. These factors, along with the low level of development in rural areas can affect menopause symptoms and quality of life of rural women. The aim of this study was to compare the physical and psychological signs of urban and rural women and its relationship with quality of life. The aim of this study was to compare the physical and psychological signs of urban and rural women and its relationship with quality of life.

Materials and methods : The study was cross-sectional study, which was conducted on postmenopausal women in urban and rural of Tabriz. Due to the sample size, 272 postmenopausal women in the urban, and 272 women in the rural, completed the the questionnaires. Address of these women, in 46 cluster head in the urban, and 46 cluster head in the rural, were taken from the Civil Registration. Data were collected through three questionnaires: personal and social features questionnaire, mental and physical experiences of menopause questionnaire, SF36 quality of life questionnaire. In this study was used from the independent t-test, chi-square test, the chi-square test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and linear regression for data analysis. findings : There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups, according to age, spouse’s Job, education level of wife and husband, monthly adequacy of income, housing situation, consent from the spouse and children behavior, as well as chronic diseases. In the other social and personal characteristics, significant differences were not observed between the two groups. The results showed that, except for sub-domains of physical, mental and anxiety, other symptoms of menopause sub-domains and total score did not show statistically significant differences in rural and urban women. Also, in subscale scores of physical and mental quality of life subscales, there were no statistically significant differences between rural and urban women. According to the results from multivariate linear regression analysis, predictors from overall score, psychological and physical symptoms of menopause among women in urban and rural, were monthly adequacy of income, education and job. Also in the some every two subscales of the quality of life in rural and urban women, there was a significant difference. So that in the physical subscale, in the sub-domains of physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, there was a statistically significant difference, and in the psychological subscale, in the sub-domains of vitality, social functioning, and role limitation, for reasons of psychological, there was a statistically significant difference. While in general, physical and mental quality of life subscale, there was no statistically significant difference.

Conclusion : Health promotion and availability of well-being in the each period of a woman's life, marks a better quality of life for her. This study was conducted as a first step to planning and providing appropriate solutions for problems in both rural and urban sectors. Since a significant percentage of women in menopause been impaired in their health, and these impairments due to living conditions, or some of the individual characteristics of women has been linked, And menopause may be a factor in order to creation, continuation or duplication of it, so, emphasize on providing training, advice and special care from the authorities regarding the socio-cultural factors and location. Also, due to differences in some variables menopause symptoms and quality of life in rural and urban women, we can reduce menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life in postmenopausal women, with create facilities, to enhance health promotion, in each of the areas that lead to reduced quality of life in both parts.